Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball will host Coastal Carolina in a three-match Sun Belt Conference series this week at Jaguar Gym.

The series opener is set for Thu., Oct. 15, at 11 a.m., followed by match two Thursday evening at 6 p.m. The series finale is scheduled for Fri., Oct. 16, at noon. All three matches will be broadcast live through ESPN+, and can be accessed through the WatchESPN app or the Jaguar volleyball schedule page at USAJaguars.com. Live stats for every match will also be provided and available through the multimedia section of USAJaguars.com.

South Alabama (4-5, 4-1 SBC) enters the weekend with a four-match win streak after sweeping a three-match Sun Belt series at Appalachian State last weekend. The Jags swept both matches in straight sets last Friday before defeating the Mountaineers in four sets in the series finale on Saturday. USA set season highs in team hitting percentage (.365) and service aces (8) in the second match of the App State series on Oct. 9. 

Jaguar libero Rachel Hickey ranks fourth in the SBC in digs per set (5.18). Maddie Soboleski ranks sixth in the league in assists per set (8.14), and 10th in service aces per set (0.46). Rebecca Walk ranks sixth in the conference in hitting percentage (.356).

CCU (3-0, 3-0 SBC) opened the 2020 season last weekend with a three-match sweep of Georgia State after having their first five matches of the year postponed, including its series with South Alabama which was originally scheduled for Sept. 25-26 in Mobile.

The Chanticleers lead the SBC in service aces per set (2.60), rank second in team hitting percentage (.259) and fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.133) and kills per set (13.60). CCU's Ani Bozdeva leads the conference in hitting percentage (.482). Anett Nemeth ranks third in the league in kills per set (4.30), and Brigitta Petrenko, this week's Sun Belt Setter of the Week, ranks third in service aces per set (0.71). 

Nemeth was named the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and was also a Preseason All-SBC selection along with Petrenko.

CCU owns an 8-1 all-time lead over South Alabama in a series that began on Sept. 16, 2000, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Chanticleers have won eight straight contests in the series entering the weekend. The Jags are 0-4 against CCU in Mobile. USA's lone win over CCU came in the inaugural meeting on Sept. 16, 2000, in five sets.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with USAJaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at Twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Rally Score Club, the volleyball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Rally Score Club go directly to support the South Alabama volleyball program. For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/rallyscoreclub.